U of L Extends Contract With Strong

The University of Louisville has agreed to a new seven-year contract with football coach Charlie Strong.

Strong is in his second season at Louisville under his original contract that runs through the 2015 season. The new deal increases Strong’s base salary from $1.6 million to $2.3 million and runs through 2018.

Strong led the school to its first bowl game in three years–a 31-28 win over Southern Mississippi in the Beef O’Brady’s Bowl–in his first season. He was named co-Big East coach of the year in 2010.

Louisville athletic director Tom Jurich said in a statement today that he likes the direction the program is going and that Strong’s work ethic and passion have impressed him.

Strong spent seven seasons as Florida’s defensive coordinator before joining the Cardinals. The Gators won two national championships during that period.